F16 pilot training is expected to begin with 24 Ukrainian pilots

In the first wave of training, Ukraine will delegate 24 pilots to master the F-16 fighter jets.

Carla Babb, journalist of Voice of America, reported this with reference to her own sources.

“F16 pilot training for Ukraine is expected to begin this summer with 2 dozen Ukrainian pilots,” the publication’s sources shared.

Sending Ukrainian pilots abroad for F-16 pilot training will take place in several stages. The list is already made.

Priority is given to young pilots and those who have high English proficiency.

Also, it is now being decided within the framework of the aviation coalition from where and how many fighter jets will be transferred to Ukraine.

At the opening of the Ramstein meeting, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, announced the start of training programs for Ukrainian pilots in Denmark and the Netherlands.

According to Yuriy Ihnat, Speaker of the Air Force of Ukraine, the training process continues, but the pilots have not yet left for Western countries.

“It is in the process, but no one has left yet,” said the speaker.

The transfer of aircraft to Ukraine and the training of personnel is an extremely complex process. After all, the F-16 is very expensive in terms of maintenance, resources, and repair bases.

“I would like to send them already. We are awaiting the decision of the allies. Practice in the cockpit will show how quickly we can learn. The servicemen have very ambitious deadlines and want to do it extremely quickly. They don’t need to learn from scratch, but to retrain from Soviet to Western technology,” Yuriy Ihnat summed up.

As previously reported, the coalition will set up an F-16 training center for Ukrainian pilots.